Wireless earbuds and related methods

ABSTRACT

A wireless earbud system includes a first earbud assembly and a second earbud assembly. Each of the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly include a housing, an audio driver disposed within the housing, and a wireless receiving unit operatively coupled to the audio driver. The wireless receiving unit is configured to receive a wireless data signal and drive the audio driver based on audio data transmitted in the wireless data signal. The wireless earbud system may also include a tether with a first end and a second end. The first end of the tether is configured to removably couple to the first earbud assembly by a first detachable connector, and the second end of the tether is configured to removably couple to the second earbud assembly by a second detachable connector. Methods also relate to the wireless earbud system.

Notice: This is a broadening reissue application of U.S. Pat. No.9,900,680 B2, issued Feb. 20, 2018, to Milam et al. for WIRELESS EARBUDSAND RELATED METHODS.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/253,250, filed Nov. 10, 2015, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to earbud headphones, and morespecifically to earbuds configured to receive a wireless data signalfrom a media device.

BACKGROUND

Earbud headphones are used to convert an electronic signal into anaudible sound, which is transmitted to the ear of a person using theearbud headphones. Earbud headphones are used in conjunction with manydifferent types of electronic devices, such as media players, hearingaids, cellular telephones, televisions, computers, etc. In contrast towhat are referred to in the industry as “on-ear” headphones and“over-ear” headphones, earbud headphones are relatively small headphonesthat rest within the concha of the outer ear and are often referred toas “in-ear” headphones. Earbud headphones are retained in place by thecooperation and mechanical interference between the earbud headphone andthe ear of the user. Some earbud headphones include a portion that issized and configured to extend from a main body of the headphone intothe external auditory canal of the ear.

Earbud headphones are popular among users because they are generallyrelatively small and portable. Moreover, when a user is participating invarious activities, earbud headphones interfere to a much lesser extentwith the other accessories or equipment of the user, such as helmets,goggles, hats, and headbands compared to on-ear and over-ear headphones,which often include a headband or other connecting structure (inaddition to wiring) extending around the head of the user between eachheadphone.

Some earbud headphones may include wireless functionality. For example,data from a media player may be transmitted by radio frequency (RF)signals from a media device to a wireless earbud. Wireless protocolssuch as Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH®, or other protocols may be used for wirelesstransmission.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a wireless earbud system includes a first earbudassembly and a second earbud assembly. Each of the first earbud assemblyand the second earbud assembly includes a housing, an audio driverdisposed within the housing, and a wireless receiving unit operativelycoupled to the audio driver. The wireless receiving unit is configuredto receive a wireless data signal and drive the audio driver based onaudio data transmitted in the wireless data signal. The wireless earbudsystem further includes a tether with a first end and a second end. Thefirst end of the tether is configured to removably couple to the firstearbud assembly by a first detachable connector, and the second end ofthe tether is configured to removably couple to the second earbudassembly by a second detachable connector.

In other embodiments, a wireless earbud system includes a first earbudassembly and a second earbud assembly. Each of the first earbud assemblyand the second earbud assembly include an audio driver, a wirelessreceiving unit operatively coupled to the audio driver, the wirelessreceiving unit configured to receive a wireless data signal, and anearbud battery configured to supply power to one or both of the audiodriver and the wireless receiving unit. The wireless earbud system alsoincludes a tether including a first end with a first detachableconnector configured to mechanically and electrically couple the firstend of the tether to the first earbud assembly, and a second end with asecond detachable connector configured to mechanically and electricallycouple the second end of the tether to the second earbud assembly. Thetether also includes an electronic control unit disposed intermediatethe first end of the tether and the second end of the tether. Theelectronic control unit includes a wireless unit configured to receive awireless data signal from a media device and to transmit an audio signalbased on the wireless data signal through electrical conductors in thetether to the first and second earbud assemblies when the first andsecond earbud assemblies are coupled to the first and second ends of thetether, respectively, and an electronic control unit battery configuredto supply power to the wireless unit.

In yet other embodiments, a method of forming a wireless earbud systemincludes forming an electronic control unit comprising a wireless unit,a battery, and a tether. The method also includes forming first andsecond wireless earbud assemblies, and configuring first and second endsof the tether to removably couple to the first and second wirelessearbud assemblies. The method also includes configuring one or both ofthe first and second wireless earbud assemblies to receive a wirelesssignal from a media device and to drive audio drivers in the first andsecond wireless earbud assemblies with an audio signal based on datareceived from the media device when the first and second ends of thetether are decoupled from the first and second wireless earbudassemblies, and configuring the wireless unit of the electronic controlunit to receive a wireless signal from the media device and to drive theaudio drivers in the first and second wireless earbud assemblies throughelectrical conductors disposed within the tether with an audio signalbased on data received wirelessly from the media device when the firstand second ends of the tether are respectively coupled to the first andsecond earbud assemblies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of an earbud system according tothe disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of components of an earbud according tothe disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing operation of an earbud systemaccording to the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of an earbud systemaccording to the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of an earbud systemaccording to the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an operational configuration ofthe earbud system of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of an earbud and a detachableconnector according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of an earbud and a detachableconnector according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of an earbud and a detachableconnector according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of an earbud and a detachableconnector according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of an earbud systemaccording to the disclosure; and

FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of an electronic control unitaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views ofany particular headphone or component thereof, but are merely idealizedrepresentations employed to describe various embodiments of thedisclosure.

The disclosure relates to earbud headphones configured to communicatewirelessly (e.g., through radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves)with a media device. The earbud headphones may include a tether thatmechanically and/or electrically couples the earbud headphones to oneanother. The earbud headphones may function differently when connectedby the tether compared to when the earbud headphones are used withoutthe tether.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wireless earbud system 100 according to thedisclosure. The wireless earbud system 100 may include a first earbud102 and a second earbud 104. The first earbud 102 and the second earbud104 may include a first earbud housing 106 and a second earbud housing108, respectively. The wireless earbud system 100 includes a tether 110formed of a lightweight, flexible material, such as a woven fabric cord,a polymer (plastic, elastomeric, etc.) cord, etc. The tether 110 mayinclude a first end 112 and a second end 113. The first end 112 and thesecond end 113 may include detachable connectors 114 and 116,respectively. The detachable connectors 114 and 116 may be configured tomechanically couple the first end 112 of the tether 110 to the firstearbud 102, and the second end 113 of the tether 110 to the secondearbud 104. For example, each of the detachable connectors 114 and 116may include a plug configured for insertion into a corresponding recessof the first or second earbud 102, 104.

The first and second wireless earbuds 102 and 104 may be used inconjunction with the tether 110 to, e.g., prevent loss of an individualone of the first and second earbuds 102 and 104. In some embodiments,connection of the tether 110 may alter the functionality of the wirelessearbuds, as described in detail below in connection with FIGS. 4, 5, and6. In some embodiments, the detachable connectors 114 and 116 may notinclude electrical connections configured to establish electricalcommunication between the first and second wireless earbuds 102 and 104,such that the connections between the detachable connectors 114 and 116and the first and second wireless earbuds 102 and 104 is only mechanicaland not electrical. In such embodiments, the detachable connectors 114and 116 may not comprise any electrically conductive material. In otherembodiments, the detachable connectors 114 and 116 may includeelectrical connections configured to establish electrical communicationbetween the first and second wireless earbuds 102 and 104 and circuitrywithin the tether 110. Such electrical connections are described indetail below in connection with FIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of components 117 within an earbudheadphone (e.g., the first earbud 102 or the second earbud 104 of FIG.1). The components 117 within the earbud headphone may include, withoutlimitation, an audio transducer 118, a wireless audio unit 120, and abattery 122. The audio transducer 118 may be an electromechanical deviceconfigured to receive an analog electrical signal containing audioinformation and convert the electrical energy to sound waves (e.g.,physical vibrations with a frequency of about 20 Hz to about 20 kHz). Insome embodiments, each of the first earbud 102 and the second earbud 104may include a plurality of audio transducers 118. In some embodiments,each of the first earbud 102 and the second earbud 104 may include anenclosure tuned with respect to the audio transducer 118 to enhance(e.g., increase) the output of the audio transducer 118 within aparticular range of frequencies. In addition, some embodiments mayinclude a tuned port or a tuned diaphragm configured to enhance theoutput of the audio transducer 118 within a particular frequency range.

The wireless audio unit 120 may include circuitry configured to receivewireless signals and transmit wireless signals. The wireless audio unit120 may also include circuitry configured to decode a digital wirelesssignal. For example, the wireless audio unit 120 may include circuitryconfigured to convert a digital signal to an analog audio signal. In oneembodiment, the wireless unit may include an RF receiver 126 operativelycoupled to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 128. An audio amplifier130 may be operatively coupled to an analog output of the DAC 128 andconfigured to amplify the analog audio output from the DAC 128 to alevel suitable to drive the audio transducer 118. The wireless audiounit 120 may also include an RF transmitter (not shown) configured tobroadcast a wireless signal, as discussed below.

The battery 122 may be configured to supply electrical current to thewireless audio unit 120. In other words, current from the battery 122may be consumed by the RF receiver 126, the DAC 128, and the audioamplifier 130. The battery 122 may be, for example, a rechargeablelithium-ion battery, or any other battery with suitable energy density.

In some embodiments, the first earbud 102 and the second earbud 104 mayinclude components and circuitry to provide active noise cancelling(ANC) functionality. For example, each of the first earbud 102 and thesecond earbud 104 may include a microphone for converting ambient noisesto electrical signals. Signal processing circuitry may generateelectrical signals representing sounds identical to the ambient soundsbut in opposite phase. The opposite-phase ambient sounds may bereproduced through the audio transducer 118 to cancel the ambientsounds.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an operational mode of thewireless earbud system 100 (FIG. 1). A media device 134 may beconfigured to broadcast a wireless signal 136 containing datarepresenting an audio signal. The media device 134 may be, for example,a handheld device such as a cellular “smart” phone, a tablet computer, adigital music player, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, etc. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the wireless earbuds 102 and 104 may operatein a so-called “master-slave” configuration. For example, one of earbuds102 and 104 may be designated the master. An RF receiver in the masterearbud (e.g., RF received 126 (FIG. 2) in the earbud 102) may receivethe wireless signal 136 from the media device 134. The wireless signal136 from the media device 134 may be separated into left and right audiochannels by circuitry and/or software routines associated with themaster earbud. Data from one audio channel (e.g., one of left or right)may be converted to an audio signal, amplified, and played through anaudio transducer 118 (FIG. 2) in the master earbud. Data from the otheraudio channel (e.g., the other of the left or right channels) may betransmitted wirelessly (e.g., by wireless signal 137) from an RFtransmitter within the master earbud to an RF receiver (e.g., RFreceiver 126) within the slave earbud, where the data is converted to anaudio signal, amplified, and played through an audio transducer 118 inthe slave earbud.

Operation as the master earbud may consume significantly more power thanoperation as the slave earbud, as the master earbud must separate thechannels and re-transmit one of the channels to the slave earbud.Accordingly, in some embodiments, each of the earbuds 102 and 104 may beconfigured to alternately function as master and slave. For example, theearbuds 102 and 104 may switch between master and slave roles on aregular, periodic basis to maintain generally equal battery chargebetween the earbud 102 and the earbud 104. In other embodiments, theparticular earbud that functions as the master or slave may be chosen byother routines based on remaining charge in each battery and/or otherparameters. Furthermore, while the above description assumes the earbuds102 and 104 are functioning as a stereo pair, some data streamsbroadcast by the media device 134 may include only a single channel ofaudio data (i.e., monophonic sound). Such data may be received andplayed by one of the earbuds 102 and 104, or may be received and playedsimultaneously by both of the earbuds 102 and 104.

In some embodiments, the media device 134 may broadcast a wirelesssignal that is received directly by each of the first earbud 102 andsecond earbud 104. In other words, neither of the first earbud 102 andthe second earbud 104 function as master or slave, but each receives thewireless signal 136 directly from the media device 134. When operatingin this arrangement, each of the earbuds 102 and 104 convert a portionof the wireless signal 136 corresponding to one of the left or rightchannels to an analog audio signal (e.g., by processing a portion of thewireless signal 136 through the DAC 128 and audio amplifier 130) andplay the audio signal through an audio transducer 118 (FIG. 2).

The wireless signal 136 may be broadcast by the media device 134 basedon established wireless protocols, such as the BLUETOOTH® Advanced AudioDistribution Profile (A2DP). Additionally or alternatively, otherwireless protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi), may be used.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a wireless earbud system 138according to the disclosure. In wireless earbud system 138, a tether 140may include electronic components 142 configured to be operativelyconnected to (e.g., by electrically conductive contacts 219 describedbelow in connection with FIGS. 10A and 10B) a first earbud 144 and asecond earbud 146 when the first earbud 144 and the second earbud 146are connected by the tether 140. For example, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the electronic components 142 may include a battery 148configured to provide power to operate one or more of the RF receiver126 (FIG. 2), RF transmitter (not illustrated), DAC 128 (FIG. 2), andaudio amplifier 130 (FIG. 2) of each of the earbuds 144 and 146 when thetether 140 is connected to the first earbud 144 and the second earbud146. Furthermore, the battery 148 may be configured to charge (e.g.,recharge) batteries (e.g., battery 122 described in connection with FIG.2) in the wireless earbuds 144 and 146 when the tether 140 is connectedto the first earbud 144 and the second earbud 146. When the tether 140is connected to one or both of the first earbud 144 and the secondearbud 146, the electronic componentry within the earbuds 144 and 146may draw power from one or both of the battery 148 in the tether 140 andthe batteries 122 within the individual earbuds 144 and 146. The battery148 may be a lithium-ion rechargeable battery as discussed above, or abattery with different chemistry and/or construction. In someembodiments, the battery 148 may be charged by connecting a chargingcable (e.g., micro USB, mini USB, USB-C) between a charging port 149operatively coupled to the battery 148 and a power source (e.g., a USBport of a computer, charging station, etc.).

FIG. 5 illustrates another wireless earbud system 150 in accordance withthe present disclosure. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a tether 152 mayinclude an electronic control unit 154. The electronic control unit 154may include, without limitation, one or more of a battery 156 similar tothe battery 148 described in connection with FIG. 3, an RF receiver, anRF transmitter, a DAC, and an audio amplifier similar to those shown inconnection with FIG. 2, and playback controls 158 such as a play button,stop button, skip to next track, begin previous track, etc. When thetether 152 is disconnected from earbuds 160 and 162, the earbuds 160 and162 may function similarly to the earbuds 102 and 104 as shown anddiscussed with reference to FIG. 3. In other words, when the tether 152is disconnected from the earbuds 160 and 162, the earbuds 160 and 162may receive a wireless signal 136 (FIG. 3) from a media device 134 (FIG.3) using a master/slave or other arrangement as described above.

When the tether 152 is connected to the earbuds 160 and 162, thewireless earbud system 150 may operate as shown and described inconnection with FIG. 6. A media device 134 may broadcast a wirelesssignal 136 containing audio data as described above in connection withFIG. 3. An RF receiver similar to RF receiver 126 shown in connectionwith FIG. 2 within the electronic control unit 154 may receive thewireless signal 136. The wireless signal may be processed (e.g.,decoded) by the DAC in the electronic control unit 154 to provide one ormore analog audio channels (e.g., left and right stereo audio channels).The left and right analog audio channel signals may be directed torespective earbuds 160 and 162 through conductors (not shown) within thetether 152. The analog audio signals may be amplified by audioamplifiers within the earbuds 160 and 162 similar to audio amplifier 130described above in connection with FIG. 2. Additionally oralternatively, the electronic control unit 154 may include one or moreaudio amplifiers configured to amplify the analog audio signals to alevel suitable to drive audio drivers (e.g., audio transducers 118described in connection with FIG. 2). Such driver-level signals may betransferred through conductors within the tether 152 and fed directly toaudio drivers within the earbuds 160 and 162. In some embodiments, oneor more conductors in the tether 152 may function as an antenna toenhance reception of the wireless signal 136 by the RF receiver withinthe electronic control unit 154.

The playback controls 158 on the electronic control unit 154 may beconfigured to generate signals that may be transmitted wirelessly fromthe electronic control unit 154 to the media device 134 to controlplayback of audio tracks from the media device 134. For example,operation of the playback controls 158 may generate a wireless signal159 broadcast from an RF transmitter (not shown) within the electroniccontrol unit 154. The media device 134 may receive the wireless signaland alter audio playback as directed by the user's operation of theplayback controls 158.

In some embodiments, the playback controls may be buttons arranged onthe electronic control unit 154. In other embodiments, the playbackcontrols may be operated by, for example, manipulating (e.g., squeezing)the tether 152. For example, at least a portion of the tether 152 may beconfigured to generate a voltage signal (e.g., by changing resistance)when squeezed by the user.

In some embodiments, the wireless earbuds 160 and 162, the electroniccontrol unit 154, or both may be configured to collect information fromthe user and wirelessly transmit the information to the media device134. For example, the wireless earbuds 160 and 162 may include sensorsconfigured to sense biometric feedback such as heart rate or bodytemperature, sensors configured to sense movement (e.g.,accelerometers), or other sensors. Information collected by thesesensors may be transmitted wirelessly to the media device 134, where itmay be organized and processed to provide information (e.g., a heartrate graph, number of steps taken, etc.) to be displayed to the user,posted to social media websites, or similarly employed.

When operating in the configuration described with reference to FIG. 6,certain limitations of some wireless earbuds may be mitigated. Forexample, at times, some wireless earbuds may suffer from uneven playbackbetween earbuds, e.g., when the playback of left and right audiochannels is not suitably synchronized and timing discrepancies betweenleft and right audio channels are audibly noticeable. When connected bythe tether 152, synchronization between the left and right channels canbe maintained with high accuracy, at least because the left and rightchannels are transmitted by the same wireless signal 136. Moreover, asthe batteries contained within the individual wireless earbuds (e.g.,battery 122 (FIG. 2)) must be relatively small and lightweight to ensurethat the wireless earbuds remain in the user's ear during activity, somewireless earbuds may have insufficient battery life for extended periodsof use. When connected by the tether 152, the battery 156 in theelectronic control unit 154 may provide significant additional operatingtime to the wireless earbuds. Finally, connecting the wireless earbuds160 and 162 with the tether 152 may prevent loss of a single wirelessearbud, particularly during physical activity of the user (e.g.,jogging, cycling, etc.). Because the tether 152 is removable, thewireless earbuds 160 and 162 can be used without the tether and theelectronic control unit 154 at times when such operation is desired.

FIGS. 7A through 10B show various implementations of detachableconnectors (e.g., detachable connectors 114 and 116 as described inconnection with FIG. 1) according to embodiments of the disclosure. FIG.7A shows an embodiment of a detachable connector 164 similar to thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 1. A distal end 166 of a tether 168 mayinclude a plug 170 configured to be inserted within a recess (e.g., abore, hole, receptacle, etc.) in a housing 172 of a wireless earbud 174.The plug 170 may include resilient flanges 176 configured to form aninterference fit against walls of the recess to retain the plug 170within the recess, thereby retaining the wireless earbud 174 on thetether 168, as shown in FIG. 7B.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show another embodiment of a detachable connector 178.In this embodiment, a distal end 180 of a tether 182 includes a loop 184of resilient material such as a flexible polymer. A housing 186 of awireless earbud 188 includes a peripheral groove 190. The loop 184 mayfit at least partially within the peripheral groove 190 to retain thewireless earbud 188 on the tether 182, as shown in FIG. 8B.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show another embodiment of a detachable connector 192.The detachable connector 192 includes a magnetic interface 194positioned at a distal end 196 of a tether 198. A complementary magneticinterface 200 is disposed on a housing 202 of a wireless earbud 204. Oneor both of the magnetic interface 194 and the complementary magneticinterface 200 may include one or more permanent physical magnets such asceramic magnets, rare earth magnets, etc. In some embodiments, one ofthe magnetic interface 194 and the complementary magnetic interface 200may include magnetic material while the other of the magnetic interface194 and the complementary magnetic interface 200 may includeferromagnetic material. Magnetic attraction between the magneticinterface 194 and the complementary magnetic interface 200 may retainthe distal end 196 of the tether 198 to the housing 202 of the wirelessearbud 204, as shown in FIG. 9B.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show yet another embodiment of a detachable connector206. In this embodiment, the detachable connector 206 includes a pin 208extending from a connection interface 210 on a distal end 212 of atether 214. A wireless earbud housing 216 may include a recess 218 intowhich the pin 208 may be inserted. An interference fit between the pin208 and the recess 218 may retain the tether 214 to the wireless earbudhousing 216, as shown in FIG. 10B. Referring again to FIG. 10A, one ormore electrically conductive contacts 219 may be disposed on thewireless earbud housing 216, and corresponding electrically conductivecontacts (not shown) may be disposed on the connection interface 210.When the pin 208 is fully inserted within the recess 218, theelectrically conductive contacts 219 may be brought into contact withthe corresponding electrically conductive contacts of the connectioninterface 210, thereby connecting electrical circuitry within thewireless earbud housing 216 with electrical conductors in the tether214. The electrically conductive contacts 219 and the correspondingelectrically conductive contacts on the connection interface 210 mayenable transfer of electrical signals between, e.g., the electroniccontrol unit 154 (FIG. 5) and wireless earbuds 160 and 162 (FIG. 5) asdescribed above.

While three (3) conductive contacts 219 are shown above in FIG. 10A,more than three, or less than three, conductive contacts 219 may beemployed, depending on the configuration of the wireless earbuds and thefunctionality of the tether 214 and the electronic control unit 154 andthe required number of discrete electrical pathways therebetween.Furthermore, conductive contacts similar to conductive contacts 219 maybe used in connection with any of the detachable connectors (e.g.,detachable connectors 164, 178, 192, 206) shown and described above. Inother words, inclusion of conductive contacts is not limited to thespecific embodiment of the detachable connector shown in FIGS. 10A and10B.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a wireless earbud system 220in accordance with the present disclosure. The wireless earbud system220 includes an electronic control unit 222 with a housing 224configured to accept wireless earbuds 226 and 228 for storage and/orcharging. In other words, the housing 224 of the electronic control unit222 may include a recessed area with a profile at least partiallymatching the shape of the wireless earbuds 226 and 228 such that thewireless earbuds can be positioned at least partially within the housing224. Electrical contacts (not shown) may be disposed within the housing224 and positioned to make contact with electrical contacts (e.g.,conductive contacts 219 described in connection with FIG. 10A) on one orboth of the wireless earbuds 226 and 228 to charge batteries (e.g.,battery 122 discussed above in connection with FIG. 2) within thewireless earbuds 226 and 228 using power from a battery within theelectronic control unit 222 (e.g., battery 156 as discussed above inconnection with FIG. 5) or a charging cable attached to the electroniccontrol unit 222 and plugged into a charging port 149 (FIG. 4). Forexample, when the electronic control unit 222 is not attached to acharging cable, the batteries 122 within the earbuds may be charged bythe battery 156 within the electronic control unit 222. When theelectronic control unit 222 is attached to a charging cable, thebatteries 122 and the battery 156 may charge simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the wireless earbuds 226 and 228 may attach to oneanother at an interface 230. For example, interface 230 may be amagnetic connection interface, e.g., similar to that described above inconnection with FIGS. 9A and 9B. In other embodiments, the interface 230may include mechanical connectors, such as tabs or pins andcomplementary slots or receptacles, etc.

The wireless earbuds 226 and 228 may each include a power switch 232disposed on or adjacent to the interface 230. The power switch 232 maybe configured to automatically power off each wireless earbuds 226, 228when the wireless earbuds 226, 228 are connected at the interface 230,and to automatically power on the wireless earbuds when the wirelessearbuds are detached from one another at the interface 230. The powerswitches 232 may prevent excessive power consumption when the earbudsare not in use and thus improve (e.g., maximize) battery life. The powerswitches 232 may be mechanical (e.g., plunger) switches or switcheswithout moving parts, such as magnetic switches (e.g., hall effectswitches) that change conductivity based on the presence of a magneticfield (e.g., a magnetic field associated with magnets of a magneticconnection interface between the wireless earbuds 226 and 228).

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate another embodiment of an electrical controlunit 234 according to the present disclosure. The electrical controlunit 234 may include playback controls 236 (FIG. 12B), such as play,stop, next track, and previous track buttons. The electrical controlunit 234 may also include a clip, e.g., a spring-loaded clip 238 (FIG.12A) configured to attach to a user's clothing, e.g., collar, placket,lapel, etc., for convenience. The electrical control unit 234 mayinclude a tether 240 similar to, e.g., the tether 152 described abovewith reference to FIG. 5. The electrical control unit 234 may includefunctionality similar to the electronic control unit 154 described withreference to FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, the wireless earbud system 100 (FIG. 1), 138 (FIG.4), 150 (FIG. 5, 6), or 220 (FIG. 11) may include software executable bythe media device 134 (FIG. 3). For example, such software may include agraphical user interface (GUI) for display on a display screen of themedia device 134. The GUI may include information related to the batterycharge in each earbud, the battery charge in the electronic control unit154 (FIG. 5), 234 (FIGS. 12A and 12B), playback mode (e.g., master-slaveconfiguration or direct transmission to both earbuds as discussed inconnection with FIG. 3), and other operational parameters of the earbudsystem.

Additional non-limiting example embodiments of the disclosure are setforth below.

Embodiment 1

A wireless earbud system, comprising: a first earbud assembly and asecond earbud assembly, each of the first earbud assembly and the secondearbud assembly comprising: a housing; an audio driver disposed withinthe housing; and a wireless receiving unit operatively coupled to theaudio driver, the wireless receiving unit configured to receive awireless data signal and drive the audio driver based on audio datatransmitted in the wireless data signal; and a tether with a first endand a second end, wherein the first end of the tether is configured toremovably couple to the first earbud assembly by a first detachableconnector, and wherein the second end of the tether is configured toremovably couple to the second earbud assembly by a second detachableconnector.

Embodiment 2

The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 1, wherein each of the firstdetachable connector and the second detachable connector compriseelectrical contacts operatively coupling a control unit in the tetherwith the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly.

Embodiment 3

The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 2, wherein the first earbudassembly comprises a first earbud battery and the second earbud assemblycomprises a second earbud battery, wherein the control unit comprises acontrol unit battery, and wherein one or both of the first earbudbattery and the audio driver in the first earbud assembly, and one orboth of the second earbud battery and the audio driver in the secondearbud assembly, are configured to draw electrical power from thecontrol unit battery when the first end of the tether is coupled to thefirst earbud assembly and the second end of the tether is coupled to thesecond earbud assembly.

Embodiment 4

The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 2 or Embodiment 3, wherein thecontrol unit in the tether comprises a wireless receiver configured toreceive a wireless data signal from a media device and transmit an audiosignal through the tether directly to the audio drivers of the first andsecond earbud assemblies through electrical conductors when the firstand second ends of the tether are respectively coupled with the firstand second earbud assemblies.

Embodiment 5

The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 4,wherein the first detachable connector and the second detachableconnector each comprise a peripheral groove in a portion of the firstand second respective earbud housings and first and second resilientloops at the first and second respective ends of the tether, and whereinthe first and second resilient loops are configured to fit at leastpartially within a respective one of the peripheral grooves to retainthe first and second ends of the tether to the first and secondrespective earbud housings.

Embodiment 6

The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 4,wherein the first detachable connector and the second detachableconnector each comprise a magnetic interface on each of the first andsecond ends of the tether and a complementary magnetic interface on eachof the first and second earbud housings.

Embodiment 7

The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 4,wherein the first detachable connector and the second detachableconnector each comprise a plug on each of the first and second ends ofthe tether configured for insertion within a respective complimentaryrecess disposed in each of the first and second earbud housings.

Embodiment 8

The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 7,wherein the wireless receiving unit in the first earbud assembly and thewireless receiving unit in the second earbud assembly are eachconfigured to receive a wireless signal from a media device and to senda wireless signal to the wireless receiving unit in the other of thefirst earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly.

Embodiment 9

The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 8,wherein at least one of the first earbud assembly and the second earbudassembly comprise a sensor configured to sense biometric feedback, andwherein at least one of the wireless receiving unit in the first earbudassembly and the wireless receiving unit in the second earbud assemblyare configured to transmit a wireless data signal based on the biometricfeedback to a media device.

Embodiment 10

A wireless earbud system, comprising: a first earbud assembly and asecond earbud assembly, each of the first earbud assembly and the secondearbud assembly comprising: an audio driver; a wireless receiving unitoperatively coupled to the audio driver, the wireless receiving unitconfigured to receive a wireless data signal; and an earbud batteryconfigured to supply power to one or both of the audio driver and thewireless receiving unit; and a tether comprising: a first end with afirst detachable connector configured to mechanically and electricallycouple the first end of the tether to the first earbud assembly, asecond end with a second detachable connector configured to mechanicallyand electrically couple the second end of the tether to the secondearbud assembly; and an electronic control unit disposed intermediatethe first end of the tether and the second end of the tether, theelectronic control unit comprising: a wireless unit configured toreceive a wireless data signal from a media device and to transmit anaudio signal based on the wireless data signal through electricalconductors in the tether to the first and second earbud assemblies whenthe first and second earbud assemblies are coupled to the first andsecond ends of the tether, respectively; and an electronic control unitbattery configured to supply power to the wireless unit.

Embodiment 11

The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 10, wherein the electroniccontrol unit battery is configured to charge the first earbud batterywhen the first end of the tether is coupled to the first earbud assemblyand to charge the second earbud battery when the second end of thetether is coupled to the second earbud assembly.

Embodiment 12

The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 10 or Embodiment 11, whereinthe electronic control unit battery is configured to supply power tooperate at least one of the first earbud audio driver and the firstearbud wireless receiving unit when the first end of the tether iscoupled to the first earbud assembly, and to supply power to operate atleast one of the second earbud audio driver and the second wirelessreceiving unit when the second end of the tether is coupled to thesecond earbud assembly.

Embodiment 13

The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 10 through 12,wherein the electronic control unit comprises one or more playbackcontrols, and wherein the wireless unit is configured to transmitplayback instructions from the playback controls to a media device.

Embodiment 14

The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 13, wherein the one or moreplayback controls comprise one or more buttons corresponding to one ormore of playback instructions to play, stop, and proceed to a differentaudio track.

Embodiment 15

The wireless earbud system of any one of Embodiments 10 through 14,wherein the electronic control unit comprises a housing configured tostore the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly.

Embodiment 16

The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 15, wherein the first earbudassembly and the second earbud assembly are configured to couple to oneanother for storage in the electronic control unit housing.

Embodiment 17

The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 16, wherein the first earbudassembly and the second earbud assembly each comprise a complementarymagnetic coupler, each complementary magnetic coupler configured tointeract to couple the first earbud assembly to the second earbudassembly.

Embodiment 18

The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 16 or Embodiment 17, whereinthe first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly each includeelectronic switches configured to power off the first earbud assemblyand the second earbud assembly when the first earbud assembly and thesecond earbud assembly are coupled to one another.

Embodiment 19

The wireless earbud system of Embodiment 18, wherein the electronicswitches are configured to automatically power on the first earbudassembly and the second earbud assembly when the first earbud assemblyis decoupled from the second earbud assembly.

Embodiment 20

A method of forming a wireless earbud system, the method comprising:forming an electronic control unit comprising a wireless unit, abattery, and a tether; forming first and second wireless earbudassemblies; configuring first and second ends of the tether to removablycouple to the first and second wireless earbud assemblies; configuringone or both of the first and second wireless earbud assemblies toreceive a wireless signal from a media device and to drive audio driversin the first and second wireless earbud assemblies with an audio signalbased on data received from the media device when the first and secondends of the tether are decoupled from the first and second wirelessearbud assemblies; and configuring the wireless unit of the electroniccontrol unit to receive a wireless signal from the media device and todrive the audio drivers in the first and second wireless earbudassemblies through electrical conductors disposed within the tether withan audio signal based on data received wirelessly from the media devicewhen the first and second ends of the tether are respectively coupled tothe first and second earbud assemblies.

While certain illustrative embodiments have been described in connectionwith the figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize andappreciate that embodiments encompassed by the disclosure are notlimited to those embodiments explicitly shown and described herein.Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the scope ofembodiments encompassed by the disclosure, such as those thereinafterclaimed, including legal equivalents. In addition, features from onedisclosed embodiment may be combined with features of another disclosedembodiment while still being encompassed within the scope of embodimentsencompassed by the disclosure as contemplated by the inventors.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless earbud system, comprising: a firstearbud assembly and a second earbud assembly, each of the first earbudassembly and the second earbud assembly comprising: a housing; an audiodriver disposed within the housing; and a wireless receiving unitoperatively coupled to the audio driver, the wireless receiving unitconfigured to receive a wireless data signal and drive the audio driverbased on audio data transmitted in the wireless data signal; and atether with a first end, a second end, and a control unit locatedbetween the first end and the second end, wherein the first end of thetether is configured to removably couple to the first earbud assembly bya first detachable connector, wherein the second end of the tether isconfigured to removably couple to the second earbud assembly by a seconddetachable connector, and wherein at least one of the first earbudassembly and the second earbud assembly is configured to operate as amaster and communicate directly with a media device when the first endand the second end of the tether are disconnected from the first earbudassembly and the second earbud assembly, and wherein the control unit isconfigured to operate as a the master and communicate directly with themedia device, with the first earbud assembly and the second earbudassembly operating as slaves and communicating directly with the controlunit, when the first end of the tether is connected to the first earbudassembly and the second end of the tether is connected to the secondearbud assembly.
 2. The wireless earbud system of claim 1, wherein eachof the first detachable connector and the second detachable connectorcomprise electrical contacts operatively coupling the control unit inthe tether respectively with the first earbud assembly and the secondearbud assembly.
 3. The wireless earbud system of claim 2, wherein thefirst earbud assembly comprises a first earbud battery and the secondearbud assembly comprises a second earbud battery, wherein the controlunit comprises a control unit battery, and wherein one or both of thefirst earbud battery and the audio driver in the first earbud assembly,and one or both of the second earbud battery and the audio driver in thesecond earbud assembly, are configured to draw electrical power from thecontrol unit battery when the first end of the tether is coupled to thefirst earbud assembly and the second end of the tether is coupled to thesecond earbud assembly.
 4. The wireless earbud system of claim 2,wherein the control unit in the tether comprises a wireless receiverconfigured to receive a wireless data signal from a media device andtransmit an audio signal through the tether directly to the audiodrivers of the first and second earbud assemblies through electricalconductors when the first and second ends of the tether are respectivelycoupled with the first and second earbud assemblies.
 5. The wirelessearbud system of claim 1, wherein the first detachable connector and thesecond detachable connector each comprise a peripheral groove in aportion of the first and second respective earbud housings and first andsecond resilient loops at the first and second respective ends of thetether, and wherein the first and second resilient loops are configuredto fit at least partially within a respective one of the peripheralgrooves to retain the first and second ends of the tether to the firstand second respective earbud housings.
 6. The wireless earbud system ofclaim 1, wherein the first detachable connector and the seconddetachable connector each comprise a magnetic interface on each of thefirst and second ends of the tether and a complementary magneticinterface on each of the first and second earbud housings.
 7. Thewireless earbud system of claim 1, wherein the first detachableconnector and the second detachable connector each comprise a plug oneach of the first and second ends of the tether configured for insertionwithin a respective complimentary recess disposed in each of the firstand second earbud housings.
 8. The wireless earbud system of claim 1,wherein the wireless receiving unit in the first earbud assembly and thewireless receiving unit in the second earbud assembly are eachconfigured to selectively operate as a master and receive a wirelesssignal directly from a media device and to send a wireless signal to thewireless receiving unit in the other of the first earbud assembly andthe second earbud assembly.
 9. The wireless earbud system of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first earbud assembly and the second earbudassembly comprise a sensor configured to sense biometric feedback, andwherein at least one of the wireless receiving unit in the first earbudassembly and the wireless receiving unit in the second earbud assemblyare configured to transmit a wireless data signal based on the biometricfeedback to a media device.
 10. A wireless earbud system, comprising: afirst earbud assembly and a second earbud assembly, each of the firstearbud assembly and the second earbud assembly comprising: an audiodriver; a wireless receiving unit operatively coupled to the audiodriver, the wireless receiving unit configured to receive a wirelessdata signal; and an earbud battery configured to supply power to one orboth of the audio driver and the wireless receiving unit; and a tethercomprising: a first end with a first detachable connector configured tomechanically and electrically couple the first end of the tether to thefirst earbud assembly, a second end with a second detachable connectorconfigured to mechanically and electrically couple the second end of thetether to the second earbud assembly; and an electronic control unitdisposed intermediate the first end of the tether and the second end ofthe tether, the electronic control unit comprising: a wireless unitconfigured to receive a wireless data signal from a media device and totransmit an audio signal based on the wireless data signal throughelectrical conductors in the tether to the first and second earbudassemblies when the first and second earbud assemblies are coupled tothe first and second ends of the tether, respectively; and an electroniccontrol unit battery configured to supply power to the wireless unit;wherein at least one of the first earbud assembly and the second earbudassembly is configured to operate as a master and communicate directlywith a media device when the first end and the second end of the tetherare disconnected from the first earbud assembly and the second earbudassembly, and wherein the control unit is configured to operate as a themaster and communicate directly with the media device, with the firstearbud assembly and the second earbud assembly operating as slaves andcommunicating directly with the control unit, when the first end of thetether is connected to the first earbud assembly and the second end ofthe tether is connected to the second earbud assembly.
 11. The wirelessearbud system of claim 10, wherein the electronic control unit batteryis configured to charge the first earbud battery when the first end ofthe tether is coupled to the first earbud assembly and to charge thesecond earbud battery when the second end of the tether is coupled tothe second earbud assembly.
 12. The wireless earbud system of claim 10,wherein the electronic control unit battery is configured to supplypower to operate at least one of the first earbud audio driver and thefirst earbud wireless receiving unit when the first end of the tether iscoupled to the first earbud assembly, and to supply power to operate atleast one of the second earbud audio driver and the second wirelessreceiving unit when the second end of the tether is coupled to thesecond earbud assembly.
 13. The wireless earbud system of claim 10,wherein the electronic control unit comprises one or more playbackcontrols, and wherein the wireless unit is configured to transmitplayback instructions from the playback controls to a media device. 14.The wireless earbud system of claim 13, wherein the one or more playbackcontrols comprise one or more buttons corresponding to one or more ofplayback instructions to play, stop, and proceed to a different audiotrack.
 15. The wireless earbud system of claim 10, wherein theelectronic control unit comprises a housing configured to store thefirst earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly.
 16. The wirelessearbud system of claim 15, wherein the first earbud assembly and thesecond earbud assembly are configured to couple to one another forstorage in the electronic control unit housing.
 17. The wireless earbudsystem of claim 16, wherein the first earbud assembly and the secondearbud assembly each comprise a complementary magnetic coupler, eachcomplementary magnetic coupler configured to interact to couple thefirst earbud assembly to the second earbud assembly.
 18. The wirelessearbud system of claim 16, wherein the first earbud assembly and thesecond earbud assembly each include electronic switches configured topower off the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly whenthe first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly are coupled toone another.
 19. The wireless earbud system of claim 18, wherein theelectronic switches are configured to automatically power on the firstearbud assembly and the second earbud assembly when the first earbudassembly is decoupled from the second earbud assembly.
 20. A method offorming a wireless earbud system, the method comprising: forming anelectronic control unit comprising a wireless unit, a battery, and atether; forming first and second wireless earbud assemblies; configuringfirst and second ends of the tether to removably couple to the first andsecond wireless earbud assemblies; configuring one or both of the firstand second wireless earbud assemblies to operate in a master mode andreceive a wireless signal directly from a media device and to driveaudio drivers in the first and second wireless earbud assemblies with anaudio signal based on data received directly from the media device whenthe first and second ends of the tether are decoupled from the first andsecond wireless earbud assemblies; configuring the wireless unit of theelectronic control unit to operate in a the master mode and receive awireless signal directly from the media device and to drive the audiodrivers in the first and second wireless earbud assemblies throughelectrical conductors disposed within the tether with an audio signalbased on data received directly wirelessly from the media device whenthe first and second ends of the tether are respectively coupled to thefirst and second earbud assemblies; and configuring both of the firstand second wireless earbud assemblies to operate in a slave mode andreceive the wireless signal directly from the wireless unit of theelectronic control unit and to drive audio drivers in the first andsecond wireless earbud assemblies with an audio signal based on datareceived directly from the wireless unit of the electronic control unitwhen the first and second ends of the tether are respectively coupled tothe first and second wireless earbud assemblies.
 21. A wireless earbudsystem, comprising: a first earbud assembly and a second earbudassembly, each of the first earbud assembly and the second earbudassembly comprising: a housing: an audio driver disposed within thehousing; and a wireless receiver operatively coupled to the audiodriver, the wireless receiver configured to receive a wireless datasignal and drive the audio driver responsive to audio data transmittedin the wireless data signal utilizing circuitry and/or software routinesof the first earbud assembly or second earbud assembly; wherein thecircuitry and/or the software routines of each of the first earbudassembly and the second earbud assembly is configured to switch thewireless receiver of each of the first earbud assembly and the secondearbud assembly between operating as a master to receive a firstwireless data signal from a media device and operating as a slave toreceive a second data signal from the first earbud assembly or secondearbud assembly comprising the wireless receiver configured as themaster on a regular, periodic basis.
 22. The wireless earbud system ofclaim 21, wherein the circuitry and/or the software of the first earbudassembly is configured to separate the audio data into a first audiochannel and a second audio channel, to send the first audio channel tothe audio driver of the first earbud assembly, and to send the secondaudio channel to the second earbud assembly when the first earbudassembly is operating as the master.
 23. The wireless earbud system ofclaim 22, wherein the circuitry and/or the software of the first earbudassembly is configured to separate the audio data into a right audiochannel and a second audio channel, to send a first of the right andleft audio channels to the audio driver of the first earbud assembly,and to send a second of the right and left audio channels to the secondearbud assembly utilizing the wireless receiver of the first earbudassembly when the first earbud assembly is operating as the master. 24.The wireless earbud system of claim 21, wherein the wireless receiver ofthe first earbud assembly comprises a wireless transmitter and whereinthe wireless receiver of the second earbud assembly is configured toreceive the second data signal from the first earbud assembly wirelesslywhen the first earbud assembly is operating as the master.
 25. Thewireless earbud system of claim 21, wherein each of the first earbudassembly and the second earbud assembly comprises a battery, and whereinthe wireless circuitry and/or the software routines of each of the firstearbud assembly and the second earbud assembly is further configured toswitch the wireless receiver of each of the first earbud assembly andthe second earbud assembly between operating as the slave and operatingas the master based on remaining charge in each battery.
 26. Thewireless earbud system of claim 21, wherein the wireless receivercomprises a radio-frequency receiver operatively coupled to adigital-to-analog converter.
 27. The wireless earbud system of claim 21,wherein at least one of the first earbud assembly or the second earbudassembly comprises a sensor configured to sense biometric feedback, andwherein at least one of the wireless receiver in the first earbudassembly or the wireless receiver in the second earbud assembly isconfigured to transmit a wireless data signal comprising the biometricfeedback to the media device.
 28. The wireless earbud system of claim21, further comprising a tether having a first end and a second end, thefirst end of the tether configured to removably couple to the firstearbud assembly by a first detachable connector, the second end of thetether configured to removably couple to the second earbud assembly by asecond detachable connector.
 29. The wireless earbud system of claim 28,wherein each of the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assemblycomprises a detachable connector configured to receive detachableconnectors of the tether, each detachable connector free of anelectrical connection configured to establish electrical communicationbetween the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly. 30.The wireless earbud system of claim 28, wherein each of the first earbudassembly and the second earbud assembly comprises a detachable connectorconfigured to receive detachable connectors of the tether, eachdetachable connector comprising an electrical connection configured toestablish electrical communication between the first earbud assembly andthe second earbud assembly via the tether.
 31. The wireless earbudsystem of claim 30, wherein each detachable connector of the firstearbud assembly and the second earbud assembly comprises one of amagnetic interface configured for magnetic attachment to a correspondingmagnetic interface of the tether or a recess sized and shaped to receivea plug or a pin of the tether therein.
 32. A wireless earbud system,comprising: a first earbud assembly and a second earbud assembly, eachof the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly comprising:a housing; an audio driver disposed within the housing: and a wirelessreceiver operatively coupled to the audio driver, the wireless receiverconfigured to receive a wireless data signal and drive the audio driverresponsive to audio data transmitted in the wireless data signal;wherein the wireless receiver of the first earbud assembly is configuredto intermittently operate as a master to receive a first wireless datasignal from a media device and the wireless receiver of the secondearbud assembly is configured to intermittently operate as a slave toreceive a second data signal from the first earbud assembly; wherein thewireless receiver of the second earbud assembly is configured tointermittently operate as the master to receive a first wireless datasignal from the media device and the wireless receiver of the firstearbud assembly is configured to intermittently operate as the slave toreceive a second data signal from the second earbud assembly; andwherein circuitry and/or software routines of each of the first earbudassembly and the second earbud assembly is configured to switch thewireless receiver of each of the first earbud assembly and the secondearbud assembly between operating as the master and operating as theslave on a regular, periodic basis.
 33. The wireless earbud system ofclaim 32, wherein the circuitry and/or software routines of the firstearbud assembly is configured to separate the audio data into a firstaudio channel and a second audio channel, to send the first audiochannel to the audio driver of the first earbud assembly, and to sendthe second audio channel to the second earbud assembly when the firstearbud assembly is operating as the master.
 34. The wireless earbudsystem of claim 32, wherein each of the first earbud assembly and thesecond earbud assembly comprises a battery, and wherein the circuitryand/or software routines of the first earbud assembly is furtherconfigured to switch operation the wireless receiver of the first earbudassembly between master and slave, and the wireless receiver of thesecond earbud assembly is further configured to switch the wirelessreceiver of the second earbud assembly to operate between slave andmaster based on remaining charge in each battery.
 35. The wirelessearbud system of claim 32, further comprising a tether having a firstend and a second end, the first end of the tether configured toremovably couple to the first earbud assembly by a first detachableconnector, the second end of the tether configured to removably coupleto the second earbud assembly by a second detachable connector.
 36. Thewireless earbud system of claim 35, wherein each of the first earbudassembly and the second earbud assembly comprises a detachable connectorconfigured to receive detachable connectors of a tether, each detachableconnector free of an electrical connection configured to establishelectrical communication between the first earbud assembly and thesecond earbud assembly.
 37. The wireless earbud system of claim 35,wherein each of the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assemblycomprises a detachable connector configured to receive detachableconnectors of the tether, each detachable connector comprising anelectrical connection configured to establish electrical communicationbetween the first earbud assembly and the second earbud assembly via thetether.
 38. The wireless earbud system of claim 37, wherein eachdetachable connector of the first earbud assembly and the second earbudassembly comprises one of a magnetic interface configured for magneticattachment to a corresponding magnetic interface of the tether or arecess sized and shaped to receive a plug or a pin of the tethertherein.